Identity theft report to credit bureau

Susan Tompor Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 AM EDT Mar 21, 2019 Lately, we're all worried about what crooks might find out about us on the "dark web." Given high-profile data breaches at places such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Health Alliance Plan, as well as Marriott and Equifax, it's not surprising that consumers are running scared. Consumers, though, might be expecting a bit too much when they sign up for costly credit-monitoring services. Do you really think, somehow, you can pay somebody to remove your Social Security number or credit card information from nefarious areas on the Internet used for criminal activity after you've suffered identity theft? About 36 percent of consumers who have seen ads for "dark web monitoring" incorrectly believe that identity theft services can remove their personal information from the cyber underground marketplace. "That would be a very compelling reason to sign up," said Susan Grant, director of consumer … [Read more...] about Stolen ID on the dark web? Here’s what to do

Your Money Adviser Ann Carrns, New York Times 1:44 pm PDT, Friday, September 14, 2018 Now Playing: One year ago, Equifax announced a stunning data breach affecting 147 million people. Since then, the vast majority of Americans have taken some sort of action, and according to CompareCards. A new survey shows that 9 out of 10 people said they've don Media: Fox5 Consumers will soon be able to freeze their credit files without charge. So if you have not yet frozen your files — a recommended step to foil identity theft — now is a good time to take action, consumer advocates say. Security freezes, often called credit freezes, are “absolutely” the best way to prevent criminals from using your personal information to open new accounts in your name, said Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy with Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer advocacy nonprofit group. Free freezes, which will be available Sept. 21, were required as part of … [Read more...] about Freezing Credit Will Now Be Free. Here’s Why You Should Go for It.

By Tatiana Sanchez | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: June 28, 2018 at 3:07 pm | UPDATED: June 29, 2018 at 4:33 am A former chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Seattle was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison for stealing the identities of undocumented immigrants facing deportation and using them to open credit cards and bank accounts under his control, running up $190,000 in bills. Raphael Sanchez oversaw immigration proceedings in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington since 2011 as the agency’s top lawyer in the region. He resigned when he was charged in the four-year scheme in February, according to the Department of Justice. “Raphael Sanchez was entrusted with overseeing the honest enforcement of our country’s immigration laws,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “Instead, Sanchez abused that trust, and capitalized on his position at ICE to exploit his victims and line his own … [Read more...] about Top ICE lawyer sentenced to four years in prison for identity theft, fraud

Last year, credit bureau Equifax (EFX) announced an epic breach of the personal information on as many as 143 million Americans. Now, thanks to a new law, consumers will be able to do more to protect their personal data. On May 24, President Donald Trump signed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, a law whose highest-profile impact was loosening restrictions on banks that were implemented after the financial crisis nearly a decade ago. But it also included several improvements to important consumer information protections. Specifically, the law allows individuals to place a freeze on their credit files for free. This change should take effect in September. Previously, consumers had pay a fee each time they requested to activate, deactivate or "thaw" a credit file freeze. Fees can vary by state and typically range from $5 to $10. These fees can add up because each of the three credit bureaus -- Experian, TransUnion (TRU) and Equifax -- charge them, and you … [Read more...] about Protecting your credit files is now free

Susan Tompor Detroit Free Press Personal Finance Columnist Published 9:08 p.m. UTC May 23, 2018 Wait? You still didn't freeze your credit report after the ginormous Equifax data breach back in September? Somehow it just slipped your mind that crooks could have access to your Social Security number? Really? The Equifax data breach is one that 148 million consumers cannot afford to forget. "Your Social Security number will never come back. It will never be restored to confidential status, if it was leaked," said Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. One line of defense is a security freeze. Under a new federal rule, a freeze will be free for the all major credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. More on that later. A credit freeze puts a roadblock in front of ID thieves who want to use your Social Security number and other information to open new credit cards, take out car loans and the like in your name. A … [Read more...] about Credit freezes will be free, thanks to new banking bill and Equifax